Ashes 2002/3 | Australia v England 5th Test | Sydney

Australia v England Sydney Cricket Ground 2,3,4,5,6 January 2003 (5-day match)

Result: England won by 225 runs

Umpires : DL Orchard (SA) and RB Tiffin (Zim)

Match Reports :Match Reports : Day 1; Day 2; Day 3 - Day 4 - Day 5 - Steve Waugh hits 29th 100

The second day of the final Test match in Sydney had it all; wickets, runs, records and the unbelievable electric atmosphere at the close; more on that later.

Alec Stewart and John Crawley were first up, although Crawley's existence was called into question after it took him over 45 minutes to add to his overnight score. Granted Lee and Gillespie were bowling a tight line, but given the fine balance of the innings, he should have been a little more aggressive. On the other hand, Stewart, who was closing in on Geoff Boycott's total run aggregate, had only one thing in mind - attack.

However, despite his reticence to push the total along, Crawley's innings was an invaluable one as together with Stewart, the pair put of 92 runs for the sixth wicket. Stewart, under pressure from the media to retire, much like Steve Waugh, commanded centre stage and together with superb timing, stroked the ball to all parts of the ground for 71 well deserved runs.

In the process he went ninth in the all-time list of Test batsmen, and third amongst Englishmen passing Geoff Boycott's total of 8,114 runs. Stewart's innings lasted three minutes short of two electrifying hours, included 15 fours and 86 balls before he was bowled off his pads by Andy bichel while attempting a half-volley through mid-wicket. What was also remarkable about his innings was the fact that Stewart was recovering from a bout of chicken pox and with the crowd rising for a standing ovation, it was a fitting end to a brilliant career in Australia for the Surrey all-rounder.

Dawson didn't hang around and was duly caught by Adam Gilchrist for two; one of the catches he held on to. Caddick was the next to go, once again while attempting to sweep MacGill. Hoggard was then stumped by Gilchrist without scoring giving MacGill his second wicket of the innings.

The close came far too quickly for England when Harmison was run out by Langer at the non-striker's end, leaving Crawley un-defeated on 35 after a three and a half hour stint in the middle. England's tail once again failed to wag and the last five wickets fell for 30 runs in 13 overs.

In reply, Andy Caddick took care of the top order dismissing Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting and Justin Langer. Australia were in a perilous position of 3 for 56 when Steve Waugh entered the arena to a standing ovation. The scene was set, the gladiator taking a long look around as he awaited the emperor's decision. Even if the emperor wasn't about to give his backing, the crowd in it's entirety were and man for man, woman and child stood to welcome one of Australia's greatest captains.

Damien Martyn welcomed his captain to the crease and the pair settled down to business, slowly eating into England's considerable lead. The pair put on 90 for the fourth wicket before Harmison took his first wicket of the innings, Caddick caught him at mid-wicket when he attempted a pull shot.

When Martin love fell without scoring to Harmison, Australia were again in serious trouble at 5 for 150. Gilchrist came in to join his captain and with a wonderful innings of 45 off 46 balls, helped Australia to the close without any further loss.

Waugh and Gilchrist put on an un-defeated stand of 87 to bring Australia right back into the final Test. With Waugh edging ever closer to a magnificent century, all that remained unanswered was would he reach a century before stumps. With two balls remaining, Gilchrist on strike and Waugh on 98; the wicket-keeper skipped down the pitch to take an easy single to allow Waugh the chance to get his hundred.

Dawson and Hussain then met to talk about the situation and to apply a little more pressure on Steve. It came to nothing however as Waugh drove the final ball to the boundary to bring up the three figures and end day two on a high note.

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